These are the best places to travel this summer

Central Asia

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2025

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Sunset over Charyn canyon in souther Kazakhstan

Overview

With its medieval blue-domed cities, kinetic bazaars and remote yurtstays, Central Asia encapsulates the romance of the Silk Road like nowhere else.

Must-see attractions

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Attraction in Samarkand
Registan
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Attraction in Samarkand
Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
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Attraction in Kazakhstan
Beket-Ata
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Attraction in Bukhara
Ark
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Attraction in Samarkand
Shah-i-Zinda
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Attraction in Nukus
Savitsky Museum
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Attraction in Nur-Sultan (Astana)
National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan
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Attraction in Kazakhstan
Charyn Canyon
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Go Beyond

Central Asia and beyond

Beyond Central Asia

Ski touring in surroundings of ski resort in Kyrgyzstan.
778892356
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Kazakhstan, Almaty
961506872
clouds, destinations, getaway, lifestyle, male, millennial, mountain ranges, mountains, observing, recreation, scenic, vacation, view, young man

Samarqand illusion

Iskanderkul is a mountain lake of glacial origin in Tajikistan's Sughd Province. Triangular in shape, it has a surface area of 3.4 square kilometres (1.3 sq mi) and is up to 72 metres (236 ft) deep. Claimed to be one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the former Soviet Union, it is a popular tourist destination. Photo taken on August 07, 2010.

Kabul

Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Gates to Hell, aka Darvaza Gas Crater. One of the bizarre man made creations thanks to the good old Russians. 40 years on and still burning strong. Derweze, Turkmenistan

Young boy wearing traditional kalpak felt hat.

Beyond Central Asia